Governor Seyi Makinde, (middle), flagging off the airport upgrade, to his left is Gov Jackson Adeleke of Osun state, to Gov Makinde’s right is Mr Kabir Mohammed, member of the airport upgrade committee
The N41bn first phase of the project to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, has been flagged off on Wednesday, 18th of September 2024.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who performed the groundbreaking was ably supported by his Osun State counterpart, Governor Jackson Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke.
Governor Makinde publicly overruled the 18-month timeline for the first phase recommended by the committee and announced a 12-month deadline for its completion.
He assured the construction firm that won the contract, Kronebourg, that the state government will not starve them of fund hence, the new 12 months dealine remains sacrosanct.
Makinde appealed to the few dissenters among Oyo state indigenes that the airport will widen the scope of economy base of the state as the airport would attract a lot of investment to Ibadan city and the entire state including the south west region.
The Governor explained that the decision to invest in the upgrade of the airport was informed by reliable data and logic. He challenged anyone with any evidence, or data against the project to engage him in public debate.
He agreed that resources are getting leaner in the light of competing social amenities, but argued that the airport investment is imperative now and the benefit would be reaped in the nearest furture, if not immediately.
The Governor said because he knew the journey to make international flight happen from the airport is daunting, informed various little steps such as the provision of fire tender, provision 500,000 litres of aviation fuel duct, JetA1, capacity to effectively and efficiently serve the needs of airlines that operate into the airport.
Makinde said the airport will automatically change the status of Ibadan to the business hub of not Oyo State alone but the entire South West of Nigeria.
He said most of the aviation companies have shown interest in partnering with the state in various aspects of airport business facilitation.
He mentioned that Omni blu Aviation had indicated an interest in being involved in the facilitation of international operations, and numerous government agencies had pledged cooperation to provide all that would make the airport certification, a forgone conclusion.
Governor Adeleke of Osun State commended Governor Makinde for his boldness in progressing with the airport project.
He however added that Osun state will not be intimidated by the success recorded with the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola airport Igadan upgrade but Osun state will soon resume work on its airport project which was in existence before he assumed office.
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